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DraftKings MMA, UFC DFS Lineup Picks - UFC Vancouver: de Ridder vs. Allen on 10/18/25. Alen's MMA DFS analysis to build winning daily fantasy UFC lineups.
Another week, another UFC event. After more than two years, the leading promotion returns to British Columbia for UFC Vancouver. The event will mark the promotion's seventh visit to Vancouver and first since UFC 289 in June 2023. That card was headlined by former two-time champion and greatest female fighter of all time, Amanda Nunes, who announced a retirement after a lopsided win over Irena Aldana in the main event. Middleweight contenders Reinier de Ridder and Brendan Allen, who replaces Anthony Hernandez against de Ridder, are set for a five-round main event bout after the welterweights Kevin Holland and Mike Malott settle their differences in the co-main event.
To open up the UFC Vancouver main card, we have a lightweight bout between Kyle Nelson and Matt Frevola, followed by a bantamweight scrap between Cody Gibson and Aori Qileng. Former title challenger Manon Fiorot returns to take on surging Jasmine Jasudavicius, followed by an intriguing bantamweight bout between Marlon Vera and Aiemann Zahabi.
In this article, I will be providing you with my fantasy MMA lineup picks for UFC Vancouver: de Ridder vs. Allen on 10/18/25. Give me a follow on X @sumpor5. Good luck!
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DraftKings MMA Middleweight - UFC DFS Lineup Picks
Reinier de Ridder, $8.8K - vs. Brendan Allen
Former ONE middleweight and light heavyweight champion Reinier de Ridder and Brendan Allen are scheduled for the UFC Vancouver main event on Saturday. De Ridder looks to remain undefeated in the UFC and potentially challenge for a title with a win over Allen, while Allen looks to win back-to-back fights.
Watch out for these knees 😳@ReinierdeRidder used these all to his advantage in his last fight, and is looking to do so again!
[ #UFCVancouver | SAT OCT 18 | LIVE on the @ESPN app ] pic.twitter.com/rYC8tTA2hO
— UFC (@ufc) October 17, 2025
I'm going to be completely transparent. I was one of those people who doubted de Ridder, but now, I can't deny that he's a world-class fighter. He was a two-division champion before joining the UFC, but since he joined the promotion, de Ridder has racked up three finishes and a win over former champion Robert Whittaker.
De Ridder started his UFC career with a third-round arm-triangle choke over Gerald Meerschaert, followed by a first-round rear-naked choke against Kevin Holland. He also finished UFC prospect Bo Nickal via TKO, taking away his undefeated record.
Allen steps in as a short-notice replacement for de Ridder’s original opponent, Anthony Hernandez, who was forced to pull out due to an injury. He was on a seven-fight winning streak and was most likely close to receiving a title shot, but then he lost two consecutive fights. Allen lost to Nassourdine Imavov last September, and then, he lost his next fight to already-mentioned Hernandez.
He was last seen in action in July at UFC 318, where he defeated former middleweight title challenger Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision. Known for his grappling, Allen usually beats opponents if he takes them down, but he seems to have trouble against opponents he can't take down.
De Ridder enters this fight with an MMA record of 21-2 and 4-0 in the UFC. He is averaging 2.95 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 52%. De Ridder is absorbing 2.44 strikes per minute and has a striking defense of 50%. His grappling has been elite in the UFC, averaging 2.86 takedowns every 15 minutes. He has a takedown accuracy of 27% and a takedown defense of 66%.
Allen enters this fight with an MMA record of 25-7, and he is 13-4 in the UFC. He is averaging 3.85 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 53%. Allen is absorbing 3.96 strikes per minute and has a striking defense of 47%. His grappling is also strong, averaging 1.65 takedowns every 15 minutes and 1.2 submission attempts during the same period. Allen has a takedown accuracy of 41% and a takedown defense of 56%.
Although de Ridder's striking looks sloppy, it's effective. He has yet to lose a UFC fight, and while his striking volume is less than Allen’s, I would argue that he's more dangerous than Allen on the feet. Allen usually loses if he can't get his opponent on the ground, but it would be unwise for Allen to take this fight to the ground, as de Ridder is leagues above Allen on the mat.
My prediction is that de Ridder will either submit Allen within three rounds or he'll win by a unanimous decision.
DraftKings MMA Welterweight - UFC DFS Lineup Picks
Kevin Holland, $8.0K - vs. Mike Malott
Fan-favorite Kevin Holland and Mike Malott are scheduled for a three-round UFC Vancouver co-main event on Saturday. Holland looks to get back in the win column while Malott looks to extend his winning streak.
All set for the next test on Saturday night 🫡@Trailblaze2Top is ready for another show stopping moment 😤
[ #UFCVancouver | OCT 18 | 7pmET on the @ESPN app ] pic.twitter.com/iPPPygZhPg
— UFC (@ufc) October 16, 2025
Holland is UFC's most active fighter, but he remains one of the more frustrating fighters in MMA history. At his best, Holland has bested former Strikeforce champion Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, Joaquin Buckley, and Anthony Hernandez, and he had a close fight with Jack Della Maddalena. However, he hasn't been able to stay consistent, and that's probably because of how often he fights.
He started this year with a defeat to de Ridder, but 2 months later, Holland faced off against Gunnar Nelson and picked up a win with a performance bonus. Holland then defeated Vicente Luque in his next fight; however, in July at UFC 318, he dropped a decision to Daniel Rodriguez.
In comparison to Holland, Malott has been mostly consistent. Aside from his loss to UFC veteran Neil Magny, where he was dominating the fight until Magny made a comeback, finishing Malott via third-round TKO, "Proper" has been nearly flawless inside the Octagon, going 5-1 in his six UFC appearances.
Since his loss to Magny, Malott has returned to the win column by picking up a unanimous decision win over Trevin Giles, followed by a second-round knockout victory over Charles Radtke. This is the biggest test of Malott's career, and he needs to win this fight if he aims to elevate his status within the UFC.
Holland enters this fight with an MMA record of 28-14 with one NC and 15-11 with one NC in the UFC. He averages 4.30 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 50%. Holland absorbs 3.22 strikes per minute and has a striking defense of 50%. His grappling is decent, averaging 0.82 takedowns every 15 minutes. Holland has a takedown accuracy of 38% and a takedown defense of 55%.
Malott enters this fight with an MMA record of 12-2-1. He averages 4.09 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 47%. Malott is absorbing 2.96 strikes per minute and has a striking defense of 54%. Regarding his grappling, Mallott is averaging 2.08 takedowns every 15 minutes. He has a takedown accuracy of 56% and his takedown defense is 16%.
It's safe to say that Mallott looks to be the safer pick; however, I think Holland will get back in the win column. Holland is a real threat on the feet, while Mallott is, without a doubt, better all-around. Malott's control and submission threat gives him the advantage over Holland; however, I think Holland's explosiveness and his reach are going to be a problem for Malott.
I realize folks will disagree with me, but I'm going with Holland. I think he'll catch Malott at some point in the fight and knock him out.
DraftKings MMA Women's Flyweight - UFC DFS Lineup Picks
Manon Fiorot, $8.9K - vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius
Manon Fiorot is scheduled to face off against Jasmine Jasudavicius on the main card of UFC Vancouver on Saturday. Fiorot looks to get back in the win column, and Jasudavicius looks to extend her win streak.
Don't mess with The Beast! 😤@ManonFiorot_MMA looks to take care of business this weekend at #UFCVancouver!
[ LIVE SATURDAY at 7pmET on the @ESPN app ] pic.twitter.com/oNaT9cjCMZ
— UFC (@ufc) October 15, 2025
Fiorot is coming off an unsuccessful attempt to seize the flyweight title from two-time champion Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 315, losing via unanimous decision. It was a competitive fight, but Fiorot had problems with Shevchenko's rhythm and was just one step behind her opponent.
Prior to that, Fiorot was on a twelve-fight winning streak that included statement wins against former two-time women's strawweight champion Rose Namajunas, Erin Blanchfield, and Mayra Bueno Silva. She's a calculated volume striker who leans on her boxing and consistent pressure.
Jasudavicius received an invite to face Julia Polastari in 2021 at Dana White's Contender Series 39, where she won the bout via unanimous decision and secured a UFC contract. She is currently on a five-fight winning streak that began in January of last year and has included wins over Ariane de Silva, Mayra Bueno Silva, and, most recently, former champion Jessica Andrade, which is a huge confidence booster that likely elevated her standing in the division.
Although she's improved her striking, Jasudavicius is an excellent wrestler, and once she gets the fight to the mat, Jasudavicius is suffocating as she's heavy on the top while she's punishing her opponent with ground and pound.
Fiorot enters this fight with an MMA record of 12-2 and 7-1 in the UFC. She is averaging 5.58 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 41%. Fiorot absorbs 3.59 strikes per minute and has a striking defense of 66%. Her grappling is solid, averaging 1.06 takedowns every 15 minutes. She has a takedown accuracy of 29% and a takedown defense of 87%.
Jasudavicius enters this fight with an MMA record of 14-3 and 8-2 in the UFC. She is averaging 3.71 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 45%. Jasudavicius absorbs 3.63 strikes per minute and has a striking defense of 51%. Her grappling is solid, averaging 2.61 takedowns every 15 minutes. She has a takedown accuracy of 44% and a takedown defense of 75%.
This is a classic striker vs. grappler matchup. Fiorot usually likes to fight at mid-range, and Jasudavicius likes to put pressure on her opponents, looking to get the fight to the mat. That being said, Fiorot's takedown defense is on point, and I don't think Jasudavicius will be able to take Fiorot down. My prediction is that Fiorot is going to beat Jasudavicius via unanimous decision.
